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It was part of Adam's punishment, In the sweat of thy…

“It was part of Adam's punishment, In the sweat of thy brows thou shalt eat thy bread: it is multiplied to me, I have earned bread in the sweat of my brows, in the labour of my calling, and I have it; and I sweat again and again, from the brow to the sole of the foot, but I eat no bread, I taste no…” quote by John Donne
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““It was part of Adam's punishment, In the sweat of thy brows thou shalt eat thy bread: it is multiplied to me, I have earned bread in the sweat of my brows, in the labour of my calling, and I have it; and I sweat again and again, from the brow to the sole of the foot, but I eat no bread, I taste no sustenance: miserable distribution of mankind, where one half lacks meat, and the other stomach!””

John Donne

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker laments endless labor that yields little sustenance, highlighting inequality where some have abundance while others starve.

In simple terms: Hard work can feel futile and unfair.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and address systemic inequities.

Themes

labor inequality existence suffering justice

Mood

frustrated reflective

Type

social critique poetic lament

When to use this quote

  • factory work
  • poverty
  • food insecurity
  • economic policy
  • social activism

Key Concepts

capitalism social stratification human dignity

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does society allocate resources?
  • What can individuals do to reduce inequity?
A Different Perspective

The quote assumes personal effort alone can change distribution, ignoring structural forces.

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